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Off Base
He’s trying to find a way out.
She’s trying to find herself.
Miller Colson-Burke has only ever been good at three things: flirting his way out of anything, being the best shortstop in the league, and playing baseball side by side with his best friend, Matt.
Until an accident takes Matt from him forever, leaving him haunted by a memorial banner and a sport he used to love. The only things he’s really interested in being good at now are avoiding the press and figuring out how to run away from a rumour he can’t seem to escape.
Ren Jacobs has spent the last four years building a new life and trying to remember all the reasons to love the person she used to be. But when someone from her past comes along and steals her dream job, she finds it hard to love anything about herself at all.
She’s trying to find herself.
Miller Colson-Burke has only ever been good at three things: flirting his way out of anything, being the best shortstop in the league, and playing baseball side by side with his best friend, Matt.
Until an accident takes Matt from him forever, leaving him haunted by a memorial banner and a sport he used to love. The only things he’s really interested in being good at now are avoiding the press and figuring out how to run away from a rumour he can’t seem to escape.
Ren Jacobs has spent the last four years building a new life and trying to remember all the reasons to love the person she used to be. But when someone from her past comes along and steals her dream job, she finds it hard to love anything about herself at all.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 4, 2026
im starting this review off by saying that i LOVE haley's writing, in the way that she captures deep and big emotions so perfectly and beautifully. the grief representation is genuinely so vivid and painful, and ren's struggles were such an important part of her story.
this was so much more than a love story, it was healing, finding love and learning to love yourself, and living life to the fullest. a lot of the time it can feel like you're going through the motions and not really taking everything around you in, and off base made me remember to not take the little moments for granted.
if you're a fan of promise me sunshine, i promise you - you do not want to miss this one. losing your best friend, a bucket list to living life to the fullest, and learning to be in the moment.
i have so many things to say about this book, but to keep this short and sweet, off base is for those who may have lost someone close to them, for those looking for their past selves, and for people who want to pause and really live in the moment.
i dont think haley could write a book that didnt make me CRY. and as she's heard, my final verdict for this book is that it's "happy-ish" 🙂↕️
do yourself a favor and add haley to your summer tbr, a canadian fav of mine!!!!
nothing will ever top only ever you, but this was a very beautiful and healing story ❤️🩹
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
another haley book, that she says won't be sad... well i'll be the judge of that!!!!
out now
very excited for a buddy read with my friend katniss 🤍
↪ started june 1
thank you haley for the digital arc & simon maverick for the alc
this was so much more than a love story, it was healing, finding love and learning to love yourself, and living life to the fullest. a lot of the time it can feel like you're going through the motions and not really taking everything around you in, and off base made me remember to not take the little moments for granted.
if you're a fan of promise me sunshine, i promise you - you do not want to miss this one. losing your best friend, a bucket list to living life to the fullest, and learning to be in the moment.
i have so many things to say about this book, but to keep this short and sweet, off base is for those who may have lost someone close to them, for those looking for their past selves, and for people who want to pause and really live in the moment.
i dont think haley could write a book that didnt make me CRY. and as she's heard, my final verdict for this book is that it's "happy-ish" 🙂↕️
do yourself a favor and add haley to your summer tbr, a canadian fav of mine!!!!
nothing will ever top only ever you, but this was a very beautiful and healing story ❤️🩹
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
another haley book, that she says won't be sad... well i'll be the judge of that!!!!
out now
very excited for a buddy read with my friend katniss 🤍
↪ started june 1
thank you haley for the digital arc & simon maverick for the alc
July 21, 2026
˗ˏˋ 5 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
honestly idk what i was expecting when i started this book.. like the cover kinda just gave dinosaurs lol. anyways it was actually so so good and so sad at the same time!
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• ren jacobs
she's so me in so many ways, and i felt so seen! loved watching her learn how to love herself after her shitty ass narcissistic ex (ew). and i loved how miller created an environment for her to be able to put herself first. also i love how she was so passionate about dinosaurs!
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• miller colson-burke
he's honestly such a green flag, i loved how he's always there reassuring ren and being her person after scott completely destroyed her self esteem. his grief of losing his cousin/best friend was so real and broke my heart. i loved how he learnt to stop blaming his cousin's death on him..
the grief representation was done so well, my heart broke for the both of them in different ways. also the slow burn was actually so slow and good!
⤷ thank you to simon maverick and haley warren for providing me an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
okay so i've realised that listening to audiobooks while multitasking is so fun so i'm listening to this one! i've heard it's also a sad book so we'll see.. also can we just admire the cover??? like c'mon!!
honestly idk what i was expecting when i started this book.. like the cover kinda just gave dinosaurs lol. anyways it was actually so so good and so sad at the same time!
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• ren jacobs
she's so me in so many ways, and i felt so seen! loved watching her learn how to love herself after her shitty ass narcissistic ex (ew). and i loved how miller created an environment for her to be able to put herself first. also i love how she was so passionate about dinosaurs!
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• miller colson-burke
he's honestly such a green flag, i loved how he's always there reassuring ren and being her person after scott completely destroyed her self esteem. his grief of losing his cousin/best friend was so real and broke my heart. i loved how he learnt to stop blaming his cousin's death on him..
the grief representation was done so well, my heart broke for the both of them in different ways. also the slow burn was actually so slow and good!
⤷ thank you to simon maverick and haley warren for providing me an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
okay so i've realised that listening to audiobooks while multitasking is so fun so i'm listening to this one! i've heard it's also a sad book so we'll see.. also can we just admire the cover??? like c'mon!!
June 14, 2026
like i was starving and a banquet (5 star romance featuring a tormented MMC) was placed in front of me
pitching this (pun intended) as promise me sunshine meets the art of catching feelings
pitching this (pun intended) as promise me sunshine meets the art of catching feelings
June 14, 2026
3.5 stars
June 24, 2026
This was good. Solid listen, broken MMC, and paleontologist. Both the MCs had lots to work through and heal from and I do love romance with a side of trauma.
Not my favorite dinosaur related romance book but I think this would be fun for sports romance fans.
Audio Narration: 4/5
Narrators: Kasi Hollowell & Alex Kydd
Style: Dual POV & Dual Narration
Length: 9 hrs 44 mins
Thoughts: Solid performance from both narrators. Pacing was within each narrator’s section but the pacing of the male narrator vs the female narrator was just different paced enough that it required me to adjust the speed between narrators at times. Otherwise a good performance! I’d still recommend the audiobook but I also don’t think you’re missing much if you decide to eyeball read.
3.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you libro FM and the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Not my favorite dinosaur related romance book but I think this would be fun for sports romance fans.
Audio Narration: 4/5
Narrators: Kasi Hollowell & Alex Kydd
Style: Dual POV & Dual Narration
Length: 9 hrs 44 mins
Thoughts: Solid performance from both narrators. Pacing was within each narrator’s section but the pacing of the male narrator vs the female narrator was just different paced enough that it required me to adjust the speed between narrators at times. Otherwise a good performance! I’d still recommend the audiobook but I also don’t think you’re missing much if you decide to eyeball read.
3.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you libro FM and the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5/5 stars
Thank you so much to Haley Warren for the arc <3
"See also, off base: to be wherever it is that Ren Jacobs and Miller Colson-Burke go when they're together. Where she always, always wants to stay, because he's worth staying for."
"There are a lot of fucking reasons to be you. And there always were."
"Millers list of reasons why he thinks Ren should always be Ren" - THAT IS ALLLLLL
"She's the sun, and I don't think I could stop kissing her if I tried."
"I'd have chosen you. Back then."
"My heart stops, and I wonder what it would be like to stay in a quiet world that contained only Miller Colson-Burke forever."
There are so many more quotes I wanted to include, but we'd be here all day. I literally adore Haley's writing in this and the connection between these two characters.
"Off base" follows Ren, a paleontologist, who is at a baseball game with her work friends, when she suddenly gets food wasted on her. Miller, the team's star shortstop, sees the interaction and goes over to help her. From there, the media gets wind of this situation, and due to the passing of his best friend Matt, Miller is currently in bad standing with the media. This leads to a proposition between Ren and Miller for Miller to fix his media image, and Ren takes it as an opportunity to find how to re-love herself.
This book majorly discusses grief, as well as finding yourself after being with a narcissist. I loved that both characters were on different journeys, but were helping each other through it. They both had lists they were helping each other navigate, and along the way, you see them develop feelings for one another. I literally love these two so much. This had so much depth and heart to it, and Haley's writing is just insane. It makes you care so much for both of them and their relationship.
Thank you so much to Haley Warren for the arc <3
"See also, off base: to be wherever it is that Ren Jacobs and Miller Colson-Burke go when they're together. Where she always, always wants to stay, because he's worth staying for."
"There are a lot of fucking reasons to be you. And there always were."
"Millers list of reasons why he thinks Ren should always be Ren" - THAT IS ALLLLLL
"She's the sun, and I don't think I could stop kissing her if I tried."
"I'd have chosen you. Back then."
"My heart stops, and I wonder what it would be like to stay in a quiet world that contained only Miller Colson-Burke forever."
There are so many more quotes I wanted to include, but we'd be here all day. I literally adore Haley's writing in this and the connection between these two characters.
"Off base" follows Ren, a paleontologist, who is at a baseball game with her work friends, when she suddenly gets food wasted on her. Miller, the team's star shortstop, sees the interaction and goes over to help her. From there, the media gets wind of this situation, and due to the passing of his best friend Matt, Miller is currently in bad standing with the media. This leads to a proposition between Ren and Miller for Miller to fix his media image, and Ren takes it as an opportunity to find how to re-love herself.
This book majorly discusses grief, as well as finding yourself after being with a narcissist. I loved that both characters were on different journeys, but were helping each other through it. They both had lists they were helping each other navigate, and along the way, you see them develop feelings for one another. I literally love these two so much. This had so much depth and heart to it, and Haley's writing is just insane. It makes you care so much for both of them and their relationship.
Currently Reading
May 31, 2026-> I think I know ....I am getting a feeling that I might end up crying while reading this book .
I am excited to do a buddy read with joni 💚
I am excited to do a buddy read with joni 💚
June 12, 2026
First of all, Hayle!! I am in absolute love with your writing. Let me tell that you are my Auto Buy author now!
The inner monologue of both characters are so full of meaning. So emotional but hopeful at the same time. Should I dare say, I had lot of fun in this emotional kind of book.
So so well executed. I can still feel the emotions in my body after two days of reading this.
The inner monologue are beyond beautiful.
Right from the drape of silk across the body to the slightest of the touch between them, everything made me feel more connected with the characters.
Both the characters are perfect! They are so best for each other. I love the way they make each other their safe place. They had that true connection. I particularly loved that they were in no rush in any intimate relationship. They both actually wanted to get know each other. Like till 70% of the story all they have done is interlace their fingers together but even then he knows her more that anyone else. More that just her body. Her true self. That's what a best man is called😭
How can a sad book bring me butterflies? I am seriously in absolute love with the writing. That conversation that goes on between them during that cheek kiss in car!? Oh god, they both are damn cute!
I can actually feel the characters healing over the time. Have you observed the change in Miller? That thing was absolute real.
The best think about this story is that the grief, the sadness its all genuine. Not that the characters are sad for some naive reasons. No they both are hurt, but they both heal with one one another.
There's this particular line I loved sm (out of many highlights)-
AHHH! So in awe with this author and her writing. I just can't get over this book
Matthew was not alive but his character was so well described from the POV of Miller that even i got to know him more like any other characters in the story. Matt had its own character growth through eyes of Miller. There friendship was truly magical. My heart broke for Matt. TBH, i cried more for Miller and Matthew. This part broke me. I will adore them always!
In nutshell, IN ACTUAL AWE! I will love this author and her writing forever.
What to expect-
• Friends to Lovers
• Grief rep
• Sad but full of hope
• Slowest Burn
• Baseball player x STEM FMC
100/5 stars! Fav of 2026
The inner monologue of both characters are so full of meaning. So emotional but hopeful at the same time. Should I dare say, I had lot of fun in this emotional kind of book.
So so well executed. I can still feel the emotions in my body after two days of reading this.
The inner monologue are beyond beautiful.
Right from the drape of silk across the body to the slightest of the touch between them, everything made me feel more connected with the characters.
Both the characters are perfect! They are so best for each other. I love the way they make each other their safe place. They had that true connection. I particularly loved that they were in no rush in any intimate relationship. They both actually wanted to get know each other. Like till 70% of the story all they have done is interlace their fingers together but even then he knows her more that anyone else. More that just her body. Her true self. That's what a best man is called😭
How can a sad book bring me butterflies? I am seriously in absolute love with the writing. That conversation that goes on between them during that cheek kiss in car!? Oh god, they both are damn cute!
I can actually feel the characters healing over the time. Have you observed the change in Miller? That thing was absolute real.
The best think about this story is that the grief, the sadness its all genuine. Not that the characters are sad for some naive reasons. No they both are hurt, but they both heal with one one another.
There's this particular line I loved sm (out of many highlights)-
AHHH! So in awe with this author and her writing. I just can't get over this book
Matthew was not alive but his character was so well described from the POV of Miller that even i got to know him more like any other characters in the story. Matt had its own character growth through eyes of Miller. There friendship was truly magical. My heart broke for Matt. TBH, i cried more for Miller and Matthew. This part broke me. I will adore them always!
In nutshell, IN ACTUAL AWE! I will love this author and her writing forever.
What to expect-
• Friends to Lovers
• Grief rep
• Sad but full of hope
• Slowest Burn
• Baseball player x STEM FMC
100/5 stars! Fav of 2026
July 6, 2026
3.75 stars
Thank you Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook.
IT GREW ON ME?
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
I immediately had to have this book because *dinosaurs*. Little did I know there was almost too much dinosaur content? As if the author was trying to make sure I knew that Ren was paleontologist. DON’T WORRY. I got it. She loves dinosaurs. The museum content was good though and I loved how the musuem and baseball team were working together.
Matt, I adored. He was a man broken by grief trying to find pockets of joy. There’s a soft fake dating angle to this that kept sending Matt and Ren into each other’s orbit and I think that worked well. I did like that banter and converations between them too. They were definitely a match.
Buuuut. The third act made me cranky. Which wouldn’t surprise anyone that has read this too. Not to mention there was way too much ex related content. I hate when the ex takes up too much time and overshadows the main romance. Just go away.
This was my first book from Haley Warren and I would read another!
Overall audience notes:
- Sports romance
- Language: mild – moderate
- Romance: 3ish open door
- Violence: low
- Content warnings: loss of a friend, grief depiction, absent parent, gaslighting ex
Thank you Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook.
IT GREW ON ME?
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
I immediately had to have this book because *dinosaurs*. Little did I know there was almost too much dinosaur content? As if the author was trying to make sure I knew that Ren was paleontologist. DON’T WORRY. I got it. She loves dinosaurs. The museum content was good though and I loved how the musuem and baseball team were working together.
Matt, I adored. He was a man broken by grief trying to find pockets of joy. There’s a soft fake dating angle to this that kept sending Matt and Ren into each other’s orbit and I think that worked well. I did like that banter and converations between them too. They were definitely a match.
Buuuut. The third act made me cranky. Which wouldn’t surprise anyone that has read this too. Not to mention there was way too much ex related content. I hate when the ex takes up too much time and overshadows the main romance. Just go away.
This was my first book from Haley Warren and I would read another!
Overall audience notes:
- Sports romance
- Language: mild – moderate
- Romance: 3ish open door
- Violence: low
- Content warnings: loss of a friend, grief depiction, absent parent, gaslighting ex
June 14, 2026
(4.5 Stars) Thank you, @simonmaverick for the gifted audiobook! I used to work in a natural history museum surrounded by dinosaurs and my favorite sport is baseball, so I immediately grabbed this one when I saw it on Libro.fm.
Ren Jacobs is barely holding it together during a “team building” museum outing to the baseball game - she’s given the paleontology department everything and then they passed her over for curator in order to hire her insufferable ex-boyfriend. Now she has to work for him. Then, her best friend spills both a hot dog and a margarita on her shirt during the game. But, out of nowhere, Miller Colson-Burke, the gorgeous shortstop LITERALLY gives her the jersey off his back. That interaction goes viral and as they talk, they discover that they are both struggling with some ghosts. They make a pact to help each other overcome their biggest obstacles - and if the public thinks they are dating in the interim (helping Miller with some image management), so be it.
Well, this was a delightful surprise! There is a ton of heart in this story - with Ren and Miller both dealing with parental abandonment as well as them each dealing with very different relationship losses that have caused them to question their worth and life’s direction. The way Warren blends heart and humor as they help each other navigate their way forward is really great. I listened while traveling and found myself crying during the last leg of the road trip as Miller has a particularly important conversation with his aunt and uncle. I will absolutely be grabbing more of Warren’s books. I had the best time.
🎧 Audio Performance:(9h 44m) Alex Kydd and Kasi Hollowell are great in this dual narration. Kydd embraced the darker emotions that Miller is dealing with very well while Hollowell aced Ren’s complete exasperation with her ex. Obviously both were perfect in conveying the growing connection between Ren and Miller.
Ren Jacobs is barely holding it together during a “team building” museum outing to the baseball game - she’s given the paleontology department everything and then they passed her over for curator in order to hire her insufferable ex-boyfriend. Now she has to work for him. Then, her best friend spills both a hot dog and a margarita on her shirt during the game. But, out of nowhere, Miller Colson-Burke, the gorgeous shortstop LITERALLY gives her the jersey off his back. That interaction goes viral and as they talk, they discover that they are both struggling with some ghosts. They make a pact to help each other overcome their biggest obstacles - and if the public thinks they are dating in the interim (helping Miller with some image management), so be it.
Well, this was a delightful surprise! There is a ton of heart in this story - with Ren and Miller both dealing with parental abandonment as well as them each dealing with very different relationship losses that have caused them to question their worth and life’s direction. The way Warren blends heart and humor as they help each other navigate their way forward is really great. I listened while traveling and found myself crying during the last leg of the road trip as Miller has a particularly important conversation with his aunt and uncle. I will absolutely be grabbing more of Warren’s books. I had the best time.
🎧 Audio Performance:(9h 44m) Alex Kydd and Kasi Hollowell are great in this dual narration. Kydd embraced the darker emotions that Miller is dealing with very well while Hollowell aced Ren’s complete exasperation with her ex. Obviously both were perfect in conveying the growing connection between Ren and Miller.
June 2, 2026
THIS is why Haley is an auto-buy & auto-read author.
An absolutely STUNNING book about finding oneself, believing in oneself and taking a leap of faith into a love unlike any other.
An incredible story. Ren & Miller were everything. The side characters were LOVELY minus a certain someone, who ARGUABLY RIVALS JACK BARLOWE AS MOST HATEABLE SIDE CHARACTER - but the rest of them were top tier.
10000/10.
Go fall in love with Ren & Miller - AVAILABLE NOW, BABES!
Editing to add review post reading, while responding to my early predictions from 3/18/26.
Early predictions:
- I will cry [Post-reading: Facts.]
- I will want to throw this book [Post-reading: LOLOLOL. YUP. Facts.]
- I will dry heave while blowing my nose constantly [Post-reading: Surprisingly wasn't as gut wrenching was I was prepared for, but I did cry happy tears & heartbroken tears.]
- I will rejoice [Post-reading: Facts.]
- I will find perspectives both in the book and internally. [Post-reading: Facts.]
- I will smile like a goofball [Post-reading: Facts.]
- I will squeal like a teenager [Post-reading: EEEEK YES. Facts.]
- I will kick my feet over some kind of yearning [Post-reading: LOLOL. KING OF YEARNING Facts.]
- I will finish this precisely in 24-48 hours #TheHaleyEffect [Post-reading: Unfortunately, I didn't finish this in 2 days, but that's to no fault of the book, but to me being chaotic.]
LET'S GO JUNE 2 !!!!!!!!!!
An absolutely STUNNING book about finding oneself, believing in oneself and taking a leap of faith into a love unlike any other.
An incredible story. Ren & Miller were everything. The side characters were LOVELY minus a certain someone, who ARGUABLY RIVALS JACK BARLOWE AS MOST HATEABLE SIDE CHARACTER - but the rest of them were top tier.
10000/10.
Go fall in love with Ren & Miller - AVAILABLE NOW, BABES!
Editing to add review post reading, while responding to my early predictions from 3/18/26.
Early predictions:
- I will cry [Post-reading: Facts.]
- I will want to throw this book [Post-reading: LOLOLOL. YUP. Facts.]
- I will dry heave while blowing my nose constantly [Post-reading: Surprisingly wasn't as gut wrenching was I was prepared for, but I did cry happy tears & heartbroken tears.]
- I will rejoice [Post-reading: Facts.]
- I will find perspectives both in the book and internally. [Post-reading: Facts.]
- I will smile like a goofball [Post-reading: Facts.]
- I will squeal like a teenager [Post-reading: EEEEK YES. Facts.]
- I will kick my feet over some kind of yearning [Post-reading: LOLOL. KING OF YEARNING Facts.]
- I will finish this precisely in 24-48 hours #TheHaleyEffect [Post-reading: Unfortunately, I didn't finish this in 2 days, but that's to no fault of the book, but to me being chaotic.]
LET'S GO JUNE 2 !!!!!!!!!!
June 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. It depicted grief very delicately and realistically. I appreciated both characters' communication skills, and the heroine's therapy insights in particular. They felt like real people through and through.
MMC, Miller (27), is a professional baseball player who has tragically lost his best friend and is trying to navigate life under intense media attention while finding the will to live and work again.
FMC, Ren (32), is a paleontologist at a museum. She's just lost her dream job to an emotionally abusive and manipulative ex-boyfriend who suddenly reappears in her life. Ren has done a great job analyzing her issues post-breakup and setting new boundaries. I really enjoyed her as a character. She was independent, vulnerable, open, and self-conscious.
Miller and Ren meet during difficult periods in both of their lives, and they find much-needed support and understanding in each other. It's not the typical "let's fake date to piss off your ex and help my brand" situation. It's more like, "it's hilarious that people want us to fake date, so let's just keep being friends and let them think whatever they want." It was so refreshing and realistic (sorry for using that word again, but that's genuinely how it felt).
They become fast friends, make lists of things they want to do and try, and gradually open up to each other. Most importantly, they grow independently rather than becoming codependent. It's absolutely believable that this couple will last long after the HFN.
Favorite quote: "He misses having someone to fill the purpose he thinks love is supposed to serve"
Tropes (with spoilers):
- Death of best friend, grief
- Sport, media attention
- paleontology (?), nerdy STEM heroine
- "fake dating" (but not really)
- friends to lovers
- bucket lists
- bar trivia, gala night
- no OM/OW drama, but an emotionally abusive ex boyfriend
- younger MMC
MMC, Miller (27), is a professional baseball player who has tragically lost his best friend and is trying to navigate life under intense media attention while finding the will to live and work again.
FMC, Ren (32), is a paleontologist at a museum. She's just lost her dream job to an emotionally abusive and manipulative ex-boyfriend who suddenly reappears in her life. Ren has done a great job analyzing her issues post-breakup and setting new boundaries. I really enjoyed her as a character. She was independent, vulnerable, open, and self-conscious.
Miller and Ren meet during difficult periods in both of their lives, and they find much-needed support and understanding in each other. It's not the typical "let's fake date to piss off your ex and help my brand" situation. It's more like, "it's hilarious that people want us to fake date, so let's just keep being friends and let them think whatever they want." It was so refreshing and realistic (sorry for using that word again, but that's genuinely how it felt).
They become fast friends, make lists of things they want to do and try, and gradually open up to each other. Most importantly, they grow independently rather than becoming codependent. It's absolutely believable that this couple will last long after the HFN.
Favorite quote: "He misses having someone to fill the purpose he thinks love is supposed to serve"
Tropes (with spoilers):
- Death of best friend, grief
- Sport, media attention
- paleontology (?), nerdy STEM heroine
- "fake dating" (but not really)
- friends to lovers
- bucket lists
- bar trivia, gala night
- no OM/OW drama, but an emotionally abusive ex boyfriend
- younger MMC
July 21, 2026
₊⊹⁀➴ 4 stars
this was so good!! I need to read more of this author's work because I'm obsessed. This was the perfect slow-burn romance I needed in my life. She's obsessed with everything about dinosaurs, and she's OLDER. He's the grieving, "playboy," hot shortstop baseball player. They just worked so perfectly together.
Ren loves anything and everything dinosaur-related, and she applies for her dream job that gets stolen from someone in her past. Miller is the flirt who is currently dealing with the loss of his best friend, Matt, whom he grew up with and used to play baseball with. Miller is struggling with the loss of his friend but also losing interest in the sport he used to love. Miller and Ren have an unexpected meeting where Ren ends up embarrassing herself in front of thousands of people, and Miller saves the day. After their interaction, rumors start to spread about their relationship, and they play into these rumors. The more time they spend together, the stronger their connection gets, and they end up becoming friends whose relationship may become something more...
This is such a beautiful story. They go from strangers to friends to lovers, and help each other with their bucket lists. It is so cute, and I love how passionate Ren was about dinosaurs.
Thank you to Simon Maverick Audio for the ALC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
this was so good!! I need to read more of this author's work because I'm obsessed. This was the perfect slow-burn romance I needed in my life. She's obsessed with everything about dinosaurs, and she's OLDER. He's the grieving, "playboy," hot shortstop baseball player. They just worked so perfectly together.
Ren loves anything and everything dinosaur-related, and she applies for her dream job that gets stolen from someone in her past. Miller is the flirt who is currently dealing with the loss of his best friend, Matt, whom he grew up with and used to play baseball with. Miller is struggling with the loss of his friend but also losing interest in the sport he used to love. Miller and Ren have an unexpected meeting where Ren ends up embarrassing herself in front of thousands of people, and Miller saves the day. After their interaction, rumors start to spread about their relationship, and they play into these rumors. The more time they spend together, the stronger their connection gets, and they end up becoming friends whose relationship may become something more...
This is such a beautiful story. They go from strangers to friends to lovers, and help each other with their bucket lists. It is so cute, and I love how passionate Ren was about dinosaurs.
Thank you to Simon Maverick Audio for the ALC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Did Not Finish
August 5, 2026I will have to come back to this, it’s just not holding my attention at the moment and I’m on a deadline that I set for only myself 🫠
August 11, 2026
2.5⭐️ Boycott using the word “um” or “uh” in book dialogue
July 18, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ i felt like a dog hearing all their favorite words reading this book…
mental health rep
strangers-to-friends-to-lovers
dinosaurs (we lvoe a woman in STEM)
baseball
fake dating (kinda)
a tormented lover boy mmc
slow burn
“live again” lists
the only reasons this wasn’t rated higher were bc it really needed another round of editing, & i cannot stand unnecessary third-act breakups driven by miscommunication.
mental health rep
strangers-to-friends-to-lovers
dinosaurs (we lvoe a woman in STEM)
baseball
fake dating (kinda)
a tormented lover boy mmc
slow burn
“live again” lists
the only reasons this wasn’t rated higher were bc it really needed another round of editing, & i cannot stand unnecessary third-act breakups driven by miscommunication.
June 25, 2026
3.5 stars 🌟 whew haven’t read an actual romance book in almost 2 months 🫠
this was pretty good! i love when academics/STEM is involved and paleontology was a new one! renmiller had a cute friendship that turned into a really cute relationship 🦖⚾️📋 i loved that they were both there for one another in completing their lists 😊
i do have to say though that the third act breakup & final love confession were def lackluster and felt a bit weird 😔 and i wasn’t the biggest fan of the constant metaphors lols
otherwise this was good and super cute!
this was pretty good! i love when academics/STEM is involved and paleontology was a new one! renmiller had a cute friendship that turned into a really cute relationship 🦖⚾️📋 i loved that they were both there for one another in completing their lists 😊
i do have to say though that the third act breakup & final love confession were def lackluster and felt a bit weird 😔 and i wasn’t the biggest fan of the constant metaphors lols
otherwise this was good and super cute!
June 8, 2026
absolutely perfect, I loved this so so much!!! this was such a beautiful story about overcoming grief and learning to love yourself. I loved both our main characters, they were both so cute and awkward and I loved seeing them start to come out of their shells with each other. The slow burn was real but the chemistry and the build up were so good!
June 19, 2026
Women in STEM meets sports romance? Yeah I ate this up.
The dialogue had to many uh and um and … which pissed me off. If that was better I would give it a high 4.5
The dialogue had to many uh and um and … which pissed me off. If that was better I would give it a high 4.5
June 22, 2026
J’ai absolument TOUT aimé
June 22, 2026
4⭐️
1.5🌶️
This was so wholesome and I loved the growth and just how SWEET they both are
1.5🌶️
This was so wholesome and I loved the growth and just how SWEET they both are
June 28, 2026
so stinking cute
August 4, 2026
the paleontologist x baseball player is a trope i never thought I'd read
June 27, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ - didn’t expect the dinosaur baseball romance book to make me cry but here we are
Did Not Finish
July 16, 2026I just could not get into it. It was an audio book and maybe the voices threw me off a little but usually I can push through that.
June 2, 2026
This contemporary slow-burn romance follows a baseball player struggling with the loss of his best friend and teammate, and a paleontologist trying to rebuild her life after a toxic relationship with a narcissistic ex. As they work through their pain, they reconnect with the things that once brought them joy. Miller & Ren form an unexpected bond through shared adventures, trivia nights, and discovering who they are beyond their grief.
🦕 Contemporary Romance ⚾️ Baseball Player × Paleontologist 🦕 Slow Burn ⚾️ Living & Dealing with Grief 🦕 Reverse Age Gap ⚾️ Relearning Who You Are 🦕 Healing & Second Chances
✨Thank you to Simon Maverick an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review. ✨
🦕 Contemporary Romance ⚾️ Baseball Player × Paleontologist 🦕 Slow Burn ⚾️ Living & Dealing with Grief 🦕 Reverse Age Gap ⚾️ Relearning Who You Are 🦕 Healing & Second Chances
✨Thank you to Simon Maverick an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free copy for review. ✨
July 19, 2026
I just finished reading Off Base by Haley Warren, and honestly, after the first couple of chapters, I had a feeling this book was going to destroy me. If you’ve read Haley Warren before, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Very briefly about the story: Ren is a palaeontologist who’s trying to rebuild her life after spending almost a decade in a toxic relationship with a narcissistic ex-boyfriend. Miller is a professional baseball player who’s struggling to cope with the grief of losing both his best friend and his brother. When the two of them meet, they decide to help each other get their lives back on track. What starts as two broken people leaning on each other slowly turns into friendship, healing, plenty of fun… and, of course, love.
One thing I absolutely love about Haley Warren’s books is that they’re written in dual POV. I know it’s not everyone’s favourite, but for me it makes such a difference. I love being inside both characters’ heads, understanding what they’re thinking, why they’re making certain decisions, and seeing how differently they experience the same moments. It makes me feel so much more connected to both of them.
This book is incredibly emotional. I cried, I laughed, I smiled… it really put me through everything. Haley Warren has this way of writing that completely pulls me in. Once I start one of her books, I lose all sense of time because I just don’t want to put it down.
I also really appreciated how thoughtfully both Ren’s and Miller’s emotional trauma was handled. Their healing journeys never felt rushed or unrealistic. The book does a great job of showing how complicated recovery can be, how deeply past experiences shape us, and how difficult—but worthwhile—it is to work on yourself and make lasting changes.
For me, this is an easy 5-star read. It’s one of those books I know will stay with me for a long time, just like Only Ever You, Life in November, and Near Miss. Haley Warren has become one of those authors whose books I can pick up with complete confidence, because she never fails to make me feel something.
Very briefly about the story: Ren is a palaeontologist who’s trying to rebuild her life after spending almost a decade in a toxic relationship with a narcissistic ex-boyfriend. Miller is a professional baseball player who’s struggling to cope with the grief of losing both his best friend and his brother. When the two of them meet, they decide to help each other get their lives back on track. What starts as two broken people leaning on each other slowly turns into friendship, healing, plenty of fun… and, of course, love.
One thing I absolutely love about Haley Warren’s books is that they’re written in dual POV. I know it’s not everyone’s favourite, but for me it makes such a difference. I love being inside both characters’ heads, understanding what they’re thinking, why they’re making certain decisions, and seeing how differently they experience the same moments. It makes me feel so much more connected to both of them.
This book is incredibly emotional. I cried, I laughed, I smiled… it really put me through everything. Haley Warren has this way of writing that completely pulls me in. Once I start one of her books, I lose all sense of time because I just don’t want to put it down.
I also really appreciated how thoughtfully both Ren’s and Miller’s emotional trauma was handled. Their healing journeys never felt rushed or unrealistic. The book does a great job of showing how complicated recovery can be, how deeply past experiences shape us, and how difficult—but worthwhile—it is to work on yourself and make lasting changes.
For me, this is an easy 5-star read. It’s one of those books I know will stay with me for a long time, just like Only Ever You, Life in November, and Near Miss. Haley Warren has become one of those authors whose books I can pick up with complete confidence, because she never fails to make me feel something.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to haley for the arc!! a new haley warren book = another new favorite. The book follows Ren, a paleontologist trying to find herself after being in a toxic relationship and Miller, a star shortstop for his team, who is drowning in grief from the death of his best friend. I LOVE THEM BOTH SO BAD, like words fail to describe my love for these two. Haley’s writing is always such a treat to read, especially being able to see both Ren and Miller’s healing journey GOD I CAN’T. I was fighting for my life reading this book, as with every book haley writes.
REN JACOBS, MY SHAYLA. If I could kick her asshole ex, Scott out of a window I WOULD !! The way he treated her to the point where she doubted herself?? He’s a heinous man. Seeing her learn to love herself and get over the posion he filled her mind with was so beautiful. AND MILLER?? A YEARNING MAN FR !! His blossoming love for Ren was everything and more. Seeing him heal from his grief as his relationship with Ren evolved into something more, like YES YOU GO !!
The love Ren and Miller had for one another first off as friends and then as actual lovers?? It was genuinely such a beautiful thing to read about, they had their own journeys and learned to love themselves before fully giving themselves to each other. Those two were actually made for each other.
Again with my rambling but I truly have no words to describe what a masterpiece this book is, thank you haley for the arc, it was truly an honor reading it
REN JACOBS, MY SHAYLA. If I could kick her asshole ex, Scott out of a window I WOULD !! The way he treated her to the point where she doubted herself?? He’s a heinous man. Seeing her learn to love herself and get over the posion he filled her mind with was so beautiful. AND MILLER?? A YEARNING MAN FR !! His blossoming love for Ren was everything and more. Seeing him heal from his grief as his relationship with Ren evolved into something more, like YES YOU GO !!
The love Ren and Miller had for one another first off as friends and then as actual lovers?? It was genuinely such a beautiful thing to read about, they had their own journeys and learned to love themselves before fully giving themselves to each other. Those two were actually made for each other.
Again with my rambling but I truly have no words to describe what a masterpiece this book is, thank you haley for the arc, it was truly an honor reading it
June 6, 2026
STEM FMC: paleobiologist
This is the second book that I've read by Haley, and I think she has a formula, which is ok, but I don't think that it's something that I enjoy very much. I've read Near Miss, and it's got these same things: STEM FMC, athlete MMC, and both are emotionally damaged, then he needs some help with his image or whatever so there's some PR involved. It's just a lot more depressing than I typically like my romances to be.
This book in particular though had some really awkward dialog, like he couldn't figure out how to talk or finish a sentence or complete a whole thought. It was very frustrating in trying to figure out what he wanted or was trying to say, and that continued throughout the entire book regardless of who he was talking to. Then you had this brilliant FMC who couldn't find one nice thing to say about herself the entire book, and it was just so sad.
One thing that I did really love about this book was the slow burn. They really took the time to become friends before becoming more, and I love that. What immediately knocked that back down though was the constant state of miscommunication or non-communication throughout the entire book. It was well written, the character arcs were good, and the spice was good, so I'm sure a lot of people will like this book, but it's just not for me. I have one more book of hers on my TBR, so I'll give her one more shot, but if it's more of the same, I think this author just isn't for me, and that's ok.
This is the second book that I've read by Haley, and I think she has a formula, which is ok, but I don't think that it's something that I enjoy very much. I've read Near Miss, and it's got these same things: STEM FMC, athlete MMC, and both are emotionally damaged, then he needs some help with his image or whatever so there's some PR involved. It's just a lot more depressing than I typically like my romances to be.
This book in particular though had some really awkward dialog, like he couldn't figure out how to talk or finish a sentence or complete a whole thought. It was very frustrating in trying to figure out what he wanted or was trying to say, and that continued throughout the entire book regardless of who he was talking to. Then you had this brilliant FMC who couldn't find one nice thing to say about herself the entire book, and it was just so sad.
One thing that I did really love about this book was the slow burn. They really took the time to become friends before becoming more, and I love that. What immediately knocked that back down though was the constant state of miscommunication or non-communication throughout the entire book. It was well written, the character arcs were good, and the spice was good, so I'm sure a lot of people will like this book, but it's just not for me. I have one more book of hers on my TBR, so I'll give her one more shot, but if it's more of the same, I think this author just isn't for me, and that's ok.
June 24, 2026
Ren and Miller.. swoon!
These two meet at his baseball game, when he gives her his jersey after her friend spills all over her outfit. She works as a collections manager at a museum and they have a partnership with his team. He’s overcoming the death of his teammate, cousin, and best friend. She’s dealing with missing out on a job to her ex, who is a narcissist and made her doubt herself, whittled down her confidence, and told her she couldn’t be alone.
Ren and Miller strike up a friendship and an agreement: she will help him with his list of things to start living again. He will help her with her list of things that her ex made her feel silly about. The way that their friendship grew and the ways they were there for one another. Both really struggled with so many things on the outside- Miller with what the media thought about him, Ren with how small her ex made her feel. I cannot get over how many times I was just kicking my feet and giggling at their banter and their ability to build each other up. From trivia night, to grocery shopping, to playing catch together- their love built slowly and was beautiful. He shows her that she is brilliant and deserves to be chosen. She shows him that he is more than what the press says about him and she helps him through his grieving process. While I’m not normally a slow burn girlie, the payoff was absolutely worth it in this book! I really enjoyed this book- quick read and a book that will stay with me!
These two meet at his baseball game, when he gives her his jersey after her friend spills all over her outfit. She works as a collections manager at a museum and they have a partnership with his team. He’s overcoming the death of his teammate, cousin, and best friend. She’s dealing with missing out on a job to her ex, who is a narcissist and made her doubt herself, whittled down her confidence, and told her she couldn’t be alone.
Ren and Miller strike up a friendship and an agreement: she will help him with his list of things to start living again. He will help her with her list of things that her ex made her feel silly about. The way that their friendship grew and the ways they were there for one another. Both really struggled with so many things on the outside- Miller with what the media thought about him, Ren with how small her ex made her feel. I cannot get over how many times I was just kicking my feet and giggling at their banter and their ability to build each other up. From trivia night, to grocery shopping, to playing catch together- their love built slowly and was beautiful. He shows her that she is brilliant and deserves to be chosen. She shows him that he is more than what the press says about him and she helps him through his grieving process. While I’m not normally a slow burn girlie, the payoff was absolutely worth it in this book! I really enjoyed this book- quick read and a book that will stay with me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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